APRILIA MOTO 6.5 (1995 - 2002) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
Power: 42 bhp
Seat height: Low (30.7 in / 780 mm)
Weight: Low (331 lbs / 150 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £3,300 - £3,500

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Whatever star quality the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5 may possess as a motorcycling design icon (and it has lots), it’s sadly more than matched by its overwhelming ‘averageness’ in terms of performance. The Aprilia Moto 6.5 is OK, in a F650/Pegaso sort of way, but you’ve got to love to weird looks to contemplate it. 

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Aprilia Moto 6.5 was designed as a chic town motorcycle and that’s where it works best: nimble steering, narrow seat and plush, pot-hole-proof suspension makes it ideal at traffic carving. Thin saddle means, however, that it’s ill suited to long rides.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Aprilia Moto 6.5's straightforward Rotax five-valver is identical to that powering the last generation Aprilia Pegaso so it’s fairly brisk, flexible and fault-free. Like most big single powered motorcycles, though, the Aprilia Moto 6.5 quickly runs out of puff if pushed hard on fast A-roads or motorways and it’s transmission is a tad clunky at low speeds.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
2 out of 5 (2/5)

Not as good as hoped. Materials are a little thin, finishes a bit, er minimal, and not only is the Aprilia Moto 6.5 more susceptible to corrosion than most, bits occasionally fall off or break, too.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

As a future classic, the Aprilia Moto 6.5 is currently fairly good value with decent-ish examples to be had for not much over £1000. As a useful road motorcycle, however, you’d be far better off with a more conventional road trailie… Find an Aprilia Moto 6.5 for sale.

Equipment

2 out of 5 (2/5)

Remember Starck’s minimalist ‘Rocket’ orange juicer? Well the Aprilia Moto 6.5 follows the same basic is beautiful mantra, too. So, there are no frills clocks, no extra comforts and bare-bones essentials. Less, apparently, is more… Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia Moto 6.5 in the MCN Shop.

Specs

Engine size 649cc
Engine type 5v single, 5 gears
Frame type Steel tubular type
Fuel capacity 16 litres
Seat height 780mm
Bike weight 150kg
Front suspension None
Rear suspension Preload
Front brake 298mm disc
Rear brake Single 220mm disc
Front tyre size 100/90 x 18 in
Rear tyre size 130/90 x 17 in

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 38 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £100
New price -
Used price £3,300 - £3,500
Insurance group 9 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 42 bhp
Max torque 38 ft-lb
Top speed 115 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 14 secs
Tank range 120 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1995: Aprilia Moto 6.5 launched.
1997: Aprilia Moto 6.5 deleted.
1999: Aprilia Moto 6.5 reintroduced.
2002: Aprilia Moto 6.5 deleted.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the APRILIA MOTO 6.5 (1995 - 2002)

1 owner has reviewed their APRILIA MOTO 6.5 (1995 - 2002) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your APRILIA MOTO 6.5 (1995 - 2002)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 2 out of 5 (2/5)
Engine: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Value vs rivals: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment: 2 out of 5 (2/5)
Annual servicing cost: £100
3 out of 5 Cool and reliable but boring to ride
25 September 2024 by Andrew Chaplin

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £100

Cool and stylish to look at. Very ordinary to ride. It’s a bit like the VW Karmann Ghia, looks great but it isn’t a Porsche. If you want a bike that looks great to just cruise around on it’s perfect. Philippe Starck is a legendary designer and the bike is better value than the lemon squeezer or any of his chairs.

Ride quality & brakes 2 out of 5

Suspension is soft, steering is a bit twitchy at speed but you don’t buy a bike like this to chuck it about in the corners Brembo brakes are more than a match for the performance as long as you’ve got fresh fluid and the hoses aren’t 25 years old

Engine 4 out of 5

Super smooth off low revs for a 650 single and nice mid range on and off throttle as long as the carb is set up properly. Runs out of steam at the top end due to the single Mikuni carb from the Suzuki DR400.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

I’ve had mine for 3 years. The Rotax engine is bulletproof and as long as it’s serviced every few years is super reliable. As long as you put proper coolant in the radiator and use E5 or ethanol free petrol it should run forever

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Cheap to run and service yourself

Equipment 2 out of 5

The whole thing about this bike is the look. It’s minimalist and sleek fitting any accessories ruins it. I’m a member of the Italian owners club and everyone runs Bridgestone Battlax BT46

Buying experience: I bought privately during Covid when everything was overpriced from a guy who had had the bike for 11 years. I paid £4k but you can get good ones for less than 3 nowadays.

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